Rita Ora wore the prettiest pastel glitter nails while performing at the Isle of Wight Festival, and they completely stole my attention. Festival manicures usually lean bold, but this one went in the opposite direction with a sheer jelly finish, soft pastel shades, and just enough sparkle to catch the light. If summer 2026 had an official manicure, this would be a strong contender.
Rita Ora’s Jelly Manicure Is the Definition of Summer
Embed from Getty ImagesRita’s outfit was full pop-star chaos, striped satin, floral details, white boots, the whole tour bus. But her nails kept it soft: Michelle Humphrey created a periwinkle jelly base with prismatic glitter fading at the tips. Glossy, delicate, and still strong enough to hold its own.
I’m also happy that Rita kept her nails short. It’s a reminder that you don’t need extra-long extensions for a manicure to make an impact. This look feels just as perfect for a music festival as it does for a summer wedding, vacation, or weekend brunch.
Embed from Getty ImagesOne detail that makes the manicure even more interesting is that both hands weren’t identical. Alongside the dreamy periwinkle shade, Humphrey also used soft butter yellow and pastel green, creating a tonal pastel mix that feels fresh instead of predictable.
K-Beauty Jelly Nails Keep Inspiring Summer Manicures
Humphrey revealed she created the look using Korean jelly and syrup gels, which have become a huge influence on modern nail trends. Unlike classic cream polish, jelly formulas create a glassy, translucent finish that gives pastel colors more depth and a fresh, almost watercolor-like effect.
Embed from Getty ImagesIt’s easy to see why celebrities keep coming back to this style. Jelly nails, soft glitter, and short lengths strike the perfect balance between understated and eye-catching. Rita Ora’s latest manicure proves pastel nails don’t have to be overly sweet. Sometimes, all they need is a little shimmer to become the manicure everyone wants to copy.
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